The Deep Creek bushfire has now burnt more than 3400 hectares and three structures as the CFS says the blaze looks set to remain erratic.

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Fire crews from interstate will arrive on Thursday morning to help battle the Deep Creek fire raging on the state’s Fleurieu Peninsula.

The fire has burnt more than 3400 hectares and three structures and the CFS say the blaze is predicted to remain erratic, with coastal winds causing the fire to change directions and spread.

Fifty volunteer firefighters will arrive from Victoria on Thursday, while further support will come from New South Wales and Queensland in coming days.

Residents on the Fleurieu Peninsula are told to “stay informed” as key roads and tourist link have reopened on Wednesday, despite fire crews continuing to battle an uncontrolled bushfire.

A warning from the Country Fire Service urges locals and visitors at Deep Creek, Silverton, Blowhole Beach Rd and Delamere to “monitor local conditions and stay informed if you are in this area as conditions are likely to change at short notice.”.

“Fireground conditions are continually changing and expanding quickly into surrounding areas. The direction of travel can be erratic due to the terrain and coastal winds,” the CFS said.

“Stay alert and know what you will do when the situation changes.”

Anyone at Deep Creek, Silverton, Delamere, or near Blowhole Beach Rd are have been warned to stay informed.

Kangaroo Island’s SeaLink ferry has resumed after being impacted by the Deep Creek fire. Picture: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone
While Main South Rd between Cape Jervis and Delamere was closed on Tuesday as the fire encroached on the roadside, it was reopened on Wednesday, providing relief for residents stuck on the peninsula’s tip.

With the road reopened, SeaLink announced the return of ferry services between Kangaroo Island and Cape Jervis on Wednesday morning for tourists and non-residents departing Penneshaw.

Once on the mainland, SeaLink said customers must go directly to the Delamere roadblock, as requested by the CFS, and should not stop or stay in Cape Jervis.

“Non-residents and tourists will not be permitted to re-enter the roadblock OR travel toward Cape Jervis once they have exited,” SeaLink said.

“All departures are operating today as per schedule, however, as the fire and weather conditions are continually changing, we strongly encourage customers travelling today to visit our website, SeaLink Kangaroo Island Facebook page, Traffic SA and the SA CFS website for more information before departing for the Ferry Terminal.”

Despite the ferry’s return, all Kangaroo Island tours departing Adelaide were cancelled on Wednesday.

The fire has taken a run towards Delamere and Jones Forest due to strong winds and the steep terrain.

“Predicted wind changes overnight and into tomorrow continue to increase the unpredictability of this fire and anyone within the area should stay informed and enact their bushfire plan as needed,” the CFS stated.

Earlier on Tuesday

Country Fire Service chief officer Brett O’Loughlin said fire crews had put themselves in harms way to protect Cape Jervis on Monday night, the blaze coming within “several hundred metres” of the caravan park and “a kilometre” from the town’s edge.

While the town was protected, he said the bushfire has continued to burn uncontained and was dangerously close to Main South Rd, forcing closures to remain in place.

“We know that the current roadblocks are a massive inconvenience for the community … but whilst there is active fire coming up onto the roadside, when we have strike teams of firefighters diligently working there, it is not a safe environment,” Mr O’Loughlin said.

The fire continues to burn on two fronts, in one direction to the west and the other further into the national park.

Mr O’Loughlin said not having a central fire front made things extremely difficult for crews, but thanked them for their work in protecting the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The CFS reduced its warning to a “watch and act” overnight before issuing new advice after midday on Tuesday.

An alert on Monday night told residents to take shelter, as it was too late to leave.

CFS state duty officer Steve Salamon told ABC Radio Adelaide the weather conditions on Tuesday were similar to Monday’s with a top of 32C.

He said winds would peak around 3-5pm and urged residents to remain vigilant as the day rolled on.

“There is a chance that we may need to upgrade the warning message on this fire throughout the day if the conditions decrease on us and it poses further risk to the community,” he said.

“There are a number of properties in the area that we’ve been actively providing protection to with fire crews on the ground

“There is still the chance that some of those properties may come under threat throughout the day today but, there are none, to my understanding at this moment, that are currently under threat.”

He said the fire started to push towards the township of Cape Jervis on Monday.

“Volunteers reacted really quickly, and we got resources into the township and the caravan park to provide protection to that area,” he said,

As of Tuesday morning, Main South Rd is closed westbound between Cole Rd Delamere to Cape Jervis.

There are also closures on Range Rd near Three Bridges Rd to Cole Rd.

While firefighting crews continue to relieve brigades that worked overnight, the Gumeracha Fire Service detailed its defence of the Cape Jervis township.

“Our crews returned from Deep Creek early this morning, safe and tired, after a challenging day,” the brigade said in a post.

“Crews spent most of the day protecting assets such as houses, phone towers and power stations.

“Late in the day a large spot fire, ahead of the main fire, was burning towards the township of Cape Jervis. Thankfully this was brought under control quickly.

“Our thoughts are with the crews still on the fire ground, who face another challenging day of multiple wind changes.

Meanwhile, the Willunga CFS provided an update of its activities overnight.

“Last night, a Willunga crew joined with other Kyeema brigades to form a strike team providing asset protection at Cape Jervis,” the brigade posted on Facebook.

“Late yesterday afternoon a Take Shelter warning was issued for Cape Jervis and surrounding towns.

Nearly 200 firefighters are battling an uncontrolled blaze. Picture: Willunga CFS Facebook

Local residents have been warned to “take shelter”. Picture: Willunga CFS Facebook
“Our crew initially provided direct protection to a house under immediate threat, before repositioning to tackle the blaze from the opposite side of the gully. This strategy helped prevent the fire from making a run toward a nearby power substation.”

Willunga CFS members remain on the fireground on Tuesday, working alongside firefighters from brigades across Adelaide.

The SeaLink ferry to Kangaroo Island is also out of action on Tuesday morning.

The 5.30am, 7.30am, 8.30am and 10.30am services departing Pennishaw will not be operating and the services departing Cape Jervis at 6am, 7am, 9am and 10am not operating.

CFS increased its warning to emergency – the highest level – for Deep Creek, Silverton, Blowhole Beach Rd and Cape Jervis just before 7pm on Monday, stating firefighters were now unable to prevent the fire from spreading.

“Take shelter now in a solid building. You are now in danger. Do not delay. Do not leave or enter this area in a vehicle or on foot. It is too late to leave as the roads will not be safe,” the warning stated.

“Conditions are dangerous and firefighters are now unable to prevent the fire spreading. Shelter before the fire arrives as heat can kill you well before the flames reach you.”

The Deep Creek fire started on Sunday evening and continues to burn uncontrolled as crews battle steep and inaccessible terrain.

A spot fire caused the blaze to rapidly spread towards Main South Road and Fishery Beach Road on Monday, with CFS warning the fire was burning on multiple fronts which were all moving quickly across the area.

More than 250 firefighters have been working to contain the blaze and undertake asset protection for multiple structures currently under threat between Deep Creek National Park and Cape Jervis, with personnel coming from across the state to support these efforts.

Numerous assets have been threatened by the fire since it started, but there are no reports of loss or damage – the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

CFS warned the fire was “putting a lot of smoke up” extending across Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula area and suggested residents who suffer from respiratory or cardiac conditions take precaution and consider closing doors and windows and remaining inside.

“Smoke from this fire may be impacting surrounding areas and emergency services will continue working on and around roads. Motorists are urged to avoid the area,” the CFS advised in a statement.

Crews from the CFS, Department for Environment and Water, and Forestry SA will continue operations throughout Monday, as will aerial firefighting.

Several hotspots have been identified and continue to generate fire activity.

Firefighters are working to suppress those areas, however, conditions remain “dynamic”, and the fire is not yet contained and is expected to remain that way for an extended period.

Deep Creek Conservation Park remains partly closed. Picture: Willunga CFS Facebook
Deep Creek National Park and Talisker Conservation Park are closed.

A CFS staging area is operating at the Yankalilla Showgrounds, and Yankalilla Oval is being used for aviation operations. The public has been asked to stay clear of these areas.

People have also been reminded that drones pose a serious hazard to firefighting aircraft and must be kept well away from fire grounds.

More information on the fire condition will be provided by the CFS when it is available.

Originally published as Deep Creek fire: More than 3,400 hectares on Fleurieu Peninsula as firecrews arrive from interstate